Collapsible playhouse



Feb. 16, 1932.

H. M. FANcHr-:R

COLLAPS IBLE PLAYHOUSE Filed June 18. 1930 .'5 Sheets-Sheet l zaar.

25A T ORA/5y Feb. 16, 1932. H. M. FANCHER COLLAPSIBLE PLAYHOUSE FiledJune 18, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 "ZSSA TTOR/VEY Feb. 16, 1932. H. M.FANcH-ER 1,845,254

C OLLAPS IBLE PLAYHOUS E member for said frame;

Patented Feb. 16, 1932.

g i UNITED STATES( PATENTgoFFiCE HOWARD M. EANCHEnyoE ROCHESTER., lilrEwYORK, AssIGNon To THE EoCHEsTiiirt` FOLD-ING BX Co.,1 oE ROCHESTER, lNEWYonx, kA `Cm-roaATIoii oEnEwfYonx CoLLArsrBLE rnAYHoUsE Application ineaJune is,

One object of the inventionis theprovision of an improved playhouseofthis character which is simple, practical, .'andinexpensive U Ainvention, by way of illustration, kin a collap-` g in construction.V

AnotherobJect isthe provision cfa structure which is light andeasy tohandle and which may be easily and quickly erected,fand when erected issecurely held against collapse, and yet, which 'may begeasily collapsedinto a vcompact article when desired;

Still another object ist-he provision oifal house, of the classdescribed of such sizeland Y arrangement as to afford accessibility tothe rooms so that thestructure may be. used as adollhouse..

To these and other'ends the invention ref" sides in certain improvementsand -combinaf tions of parts all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel 'featuresj being pointed out in the claims attheendof the specification. I In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a frontperspective'view of. a pla-yhouse in erected position, embodyingthe.present invention;`

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the interior of said house; Ii Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional viewtaken substantially on the lined-3of Fig. 4;

Figi 4 is a vertical sectional View ktaken substantially on the line 4-4of Fig. 3; f Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the house; 'i

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the base;. Fig. 7 is a'fragmentary viewof a portion of the roof showing .thedormer rand a roof member mountedthereon and also showing the connection between said root, dornier, andwall structure;

Fig. 8 is a perspectivev view of the main portion of a frame employedinthe structure,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a closure Fig. y10 is aperspective'View` ofa Cross* shaped partition member;V l

5G Figs. 11 and-l2 are perspectiveviewsof i930. sieriaino. 462,045.

the cell members rwhich make up the'rooms i i of the house, andl ,Figi13 is a perspective view of the memy bers which :form the end walls ofthe rooms.

Similarreference numerals throughoutfthe severalviews indicate the sameparts.

The invention is embodied inthe present sible .playhouse, comprising abasel, Fig. 6, made of strawboard or other similar material providing amaii'iportion having an opening 2 centrally thereo,and end portions andside portions -7 which arebent on the lines 3 and 4 and folded under soas to close the bottom of the opening, .thus forming a base having aYdepression therein.` The end and side portions are so shaped that whenin position for closing the bottom ofjtheopening they come together inabutting relation along the line 8 to form a smooth surface for l the,bottom of the depression, and are .re-v

ytaiiiedin this position by adhesive material 5".y The'edges of thedepression thus formed retain the wall structure'an'dframerin posi# Ytion, and the bottom supports these members as hereinafter'deseribed. ygThe base is of suicient strength so that it can; be' picked up, with`the playhouse assembled thereon, and moved'from place to place. The`depression 2 is spaced from the sidesso as to leave a porlawn. i YMounted on the base 1 and in the depression 2` thereof is a framecomprising a Amain Vportion 9, Fig. 8, and a front closure member 16,Fig. 9. The main portion of lthe `:trame .is

tion around the wallstructure to represent a made of one piece ofstrawboar'd scored and foldedon the linesV 15 which form hinged cornersand enable this portionfto be collapsd for shipping or storing,'the endsbeing vadhesive tape splicing. This main vportion has, when'erected, asubstantially rectangular shape and-comprises a bottom 10,`top 1 1`andalsoy provided on the edges thereof` .with Y notches 14 whichengagesnitable lugs ontlie joined in any suitable manner, as bymeans ofJ In order to secure the roof member 44,

hereinafter described, to the wall structure,

the latteris provided on the walls34 Vandr35 and the gable portions 33,with upwardly eX- tending vtabs 43 which project through suitable slitspr-ovided in the roof. Thesetabs provide a `means forsecurely retainingthe roof member in place' yet allovvfthe rooflto be easily and quicklydisconnected` from the wall structure. j I

The roof 44 is preferably made of one piece of cardboard scoredcentrally thereof at 45`so vas to fit over the gable portions 33 of thewall structure, the upper sideof said roof being decorated to representshingles. yWhen not in use the roof can be liattened into a planesuitable for storing. Slits 46, 47 and 54 are provided in the roof forsecuring derniers and chimneys thereto as hereinafter de scribed.Additional slits -arey provided through which .the tabs 43 of the wallstructure project. This latter construction is clearly shown in Fig. 7 Yj j vSecured-to theA root 44 are dormers comprising a window section:48- and arooi" section 49, both beingdetachably securedfto the roof.The window section is made tof aflat piece of cardboard suitably out andscored so as to provide a front and side portion for the VdormerVwindow. section, the frontV portion havinga window printed thereon.rThe iront portion of the window* seetionhas a dependingtab 50 integral.therewith which projects through the same slitv as Vthe tab 43 ofthewall structure, while thesi'deportions have integral tabs 51which'project through the slits 47 of the roof as shown in Fig. 4. Theroof portion 490i the dormer is also madeoione piece of cardboard scoredcentrally at 52 so as to fit ,over the Window portion.V This roofportion has one side thereof decorated to rep'- resentshingles similarto the main roof and is provided'with integral tabs or portions 53 whichproject through slits 54 of the roof and thus secure the dormer roofportion tothe roof. The dormers-are -so' disposed onthe roof as` toeffectively conceal the connecting means between the front'v and rearwalls ot the wall structure, and theroof. Y fr Detachably secured to the`front portion of the roof and adjacent one end thereoiis a collapsiblechimney 55 which forms a continuationof the chimney printed'on the endwall 32. The ,chimneyv is' made :of one piece Yof cardboard scored andfolded so as.` to provide flexibly folded or hinged corners, anddecorated so as to represent a brickv structure. DownvvardlyL extendingVtabs 55a. project through the slits 46 ofthe roof andthus securely anddetachably-retain the 'chimney-in position. A similar chimney is locatedonthe back portion of the rool:l and atthe end of the house oppositetothat of the vfirst -mentioned structure.Vl l 1 2. A playhouse comprisingabase havinga chimney. rThe position of these chimneys is such thattheycover the connecting tabsof the Wall structure as shown in'Fig. 3.The dormer and chimneys thus provide a'means efor effectively concealingthe connecting 'fmeans between the roof' and the wall structure.

The abovedeseription discloses a playhousewhich when collapsed forms acompact package` suitable for storingor shipping and when I erected issubstantial and of sufficient sizeto be usedv for aplayhouse; Thestructure-can 2, thusfurnishing an'enjoyabl'e toy forthe children. i

While one embodiment of the invention has been-disclosed, it is'to 'beunderstood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a numberofways. f This application is therefore not-'to e be limited to theprecise details described, but

is intended to coverv allvariations and modifications thereof fallinglWithin the spirit ofV lthe invention or the'sco'pes'of the appendedclaims. ""I;claim:- y, y

l; A playhouse comprising a-'wall vstructure, and afdetachable base-ofpaper board or "the li-kehaving a central opening therein for so astofclose the bottom of said opening thus for supporting said y wall.

forming means depression therein, a wall structure received in saiddepression Aand supported by Vsaid base, anda supportingfranie mountedon said 'base within said wallstructure and retain-ed in saiddepression."` .n

3.'V A playhouse comprising a basefhaving a depression therein, a` Wallstructure supported by said base',.andf"a collapsible frame ingdetachable'parts retained in position by said Wall structure.

4.`A playhousecomprising a base, a collapsible` wall structure supportedby said base,

a collapsible frame disposed AWithin and supporting said Wall structureand maintaining itin erected position, `said frame comprising top',bottom and end rwalls connected together, azsep'arable closureme'mber'cooperating with said frame to hold the latter in erected posi?Ation; and interengaging notch and `lug means .fordetachably securingsaid closure Amember to said frame.

5..'Afplayhouse comprisingabase, a wall structr'ireysupport'ed by saidbase, vacollapsible frame disposed? within andL supporting said YfWallstructure, :said y:frame comprsiugitop, @bodemand end Imembers:and,asepanablef Clo sure n iernber,l said clos-ure ;v member retaining.fthe `framein;the-erected p Ositi0I.1,..andA interengaging notch andlug .means ifer .securing .said closure ito f-'sald ira-nie., ,said.vneteh fand lugmeans being so disposed as to assuresas- `.se1nb1y A.of.said elosure member-.in .only a Single predetermined relation .in:said-Firme i@ .and t0 .prevent reversal :thereof- .In fafnlayheuse.Comprising e bese her* :inge depressenthelein, ,Q -wall .structure susported i121 .Said depression, and-a frameicom- .Prisifis .separable.parte .disposed in said. de-

pression and supnQrt-ngisaid @waHstructura .said Wallfstrueturebeingarrangedtofenelcse and retain said frame parts in assembled; relation.Y, f l

=7 .A folding .fplayhmise '-.CQmpsin-ga base having a i depressiontherei-n,faiwallstrlicture -mountefl'en .Said haseanjdlleldin positeninsaid depression, .said .haseextenrlns berend the' :Wall structure .and:harina side .-,andiend portions integral therewith andyfQl'dednnder Vsoas to .close `the IVbottom ,of ,said depression and support said Wallstructure, a .collapsible frame supported by said base Vanddisposed'within .said vwall; structure, a.. closure member frsadtreme,andeintereegeellg notch and lug ,means .ldetachably securing ysaid closure memberto said trame. f i ,8? A :playhouse ".CQmprSne a basea yWall I. structure vmounted.. on ksaid -lo ase, ya.y collapsible@frame including ia iclosure member disposed .Within said Wall structure.and supportediby gsafidbase, saidclosure member .retaining the frame inerected position, and a substantially ,crossfshaped .member d1sposedWithin said different compartments. .f .9. A .playliouse vvcomprisinga,base having Y a depression therein, 'a fWall structure supported insaid depression, a .substantially `Avrectangular Eiframe vhaving oneside thereof disposed Vin saiddepression, a rontclosure .memberffor said.frame,-said Wall structure Eand trame .being open on-the sidecorrespond- Ving to .the back of the house, anda cross- Y shaped memberdisposed. within .said frame .im .fldidiiiding the space thereinintodifferent compartments to represent rooms/ lof the house.,

Y 1,0. Aiplayhousecomprising abase, a Wall structure .supported onrsaidbase, a substan- .tially cross-shaped member v,disposed .Within .saidWall structure and .dividing thel space Vtherein .into compartments,`cell members lo- ,cated Within-and liningthespace formed by vsaidcross-.shaped member, ,and anlend .Wall

zs for y,said compartment ,secured in place be- .tweensaid wallstructure and ysaid -cross- Ashaped member. v T

Y vill.- Aflplayhouse Icomprising a basehaving @depression therein, awall Structure meant- .fpf ed i011 said base and. retainedinxsad.depres- ..`sion, a. Atraineedispo sedfvs'zithini and: suppontin A.:saidiwall :structuiesaid wallfstructureaii iframe-.being openon thesidecorresponding -to ,therbaclr of the house;` across-shapedmemberzdisposed-.Within said: frame andfdividing 70 -tl1e spacetherein-into comp artments; and cell 1- members dispsed'zwithin andlining :said l compartments, said .'Wall structure havingcal .pluralityof epenings'thereinf on :the A.eide

thereofY i corresponding to the back of '1i the? Y'15 fhouse,.said-openings in the Wall :structure being slightly smaller thaninthe compartments so that r saidl -fwa'll' V'structure f .-loeks. theVcell members .in position.

l2. A pl-fayheuse-comprising a:base,1.a..wa:l1 180 structure meu'ntedon. said base,a -rameuportion disposedwithin and supportingsaidrwallstruc-ture, said 4frame and` Wall. structure .hay-

mg opening'sl on l .one side. thereof, f-.a: crossshaped member.:disposed Withinl sind` frame $85 @sudditi-'ding the space therein intocompart- 'ingtabs integral `with said @Wallstructure,

said, roof lmember .being provided With'rslitsf' f through Whichsaidtabsextend,1andafd0rmer and fa chimney .membenon sai'dfroof disposed toc'over theconnecting means:between said roet .l and said Wall structure.

y13. A playhouse'comprisingsa Iwall-1struc-400 Y ture-having; sideshinged .tof each otherf to' be collapsed in the :direction of noneplaneya base .detachably securedtoaiand@supportingksaidframe.andfdiyidmg thespace `therein finto sides, and a frameplaoeable:within--y the lvirali structure. and supported by said ibase"for "105 holding gthe A*latter in erectedA position, vsaid :frame 5including fwalls': hinged? to leach other for -collapse.:in :thedirectionroff afplanefi substjantially i perpendicular to said ifirst.men-

tioned plane, so thatmhen .said frame is With- .in saidv Wall structureit .isi heldagainsti collapse thereby.

fle. Aipl-ayhouse comprising faavall structurehaving sides hinged-tdeachother to l be collapsed .in :the direction otV a horizontal l15 plane, abase detachably secured.tofan'd'-sup .pltlng -f said -sidesnandfra frame:pla-ceable lWithin 'the Wall structure and supported by said .base for`vholdingy the ilatter lin erected position, said :frame AincludingWalls i hinged T20 to 'each otherifoncollapse `in :the directionofsubstantially yve1tical.=plane, :so .that when said frame ,isrwithimsaid wall structure itis held against collapsefthereby.

1,5.:Aplayhouse ecomprisinga 'frame lin- 125 cluding a lhollowapri-smhayingiits vWalls :hinged vto-each othersso thatlfthey maybe-'cllapsed and havingits axisfsubstantiallyhori- :Zout-al, aplurality. oflcelll memberseachin' the formcofiaihollowfprismiinsertablewithinsa'id 130 frame by a substantially horizontal movement when theframe is in erected position, and a wall structure in the form of ahollow prism having its Walls hinged to 'each other for collapse and itsaxis substantially vertical, said Wall `structurebeing placeable by asubstantially vertical movement in anenveloping position with respect to4said frame to maintain said frameagainstcollapse and to hold said cellmembers Within saidk frame.`

16. A playhouse comprising` a. wall struc ture in the form ofa hollowprism having its Walls hinged to each other for collapse` yand its axissubstantially vertical, and a plurality of cell memberswithn said wallstructure, each of said cell members comprising a hollow prismrf havingits Walls hinged to each other for collapse and having its axissubstantially horizontal. y

HOWARD FANCHER.

